Revolutionary Encampment returns to Skippack

Friday, September 27, 2013

SKIPPACKThis weekend, Sept. 28 and 29, take a step back in time and visit the Skippack Historical Society at the 2013 Revolutionary Encampment at the historic IndenHofen Farmstead (Rt. 73 & Evansburg Road). This is the eighth year that the society is holding this living history event to commemorate the stay of Washington and the Continental Army when it camped here during 1777, before the battle at Germantown.

Revolutionary soldiers will set up camp, drill and fire their muskets to give a glimpse of army life. Spectators will be encouraged to enlist and become part of the Continental Troops. Some re-enactors will be joined by their families who help with and explain the chore of colonial cooking. Other tradespeople will also be there in the form of a cooper, blacksmith, quilters, and a dowser. Both the house (circa 1712) and the barn will be open for touring.

On Saturday local author, Doug Shupinski, will speak on the influences and effects of the Revolutionary War in our area, and on Sunday, we will conduct a colonial church service at noon, led by minister Popovici and singing accompanied by dulcimer music. On both afternoons, attendees can participate in the “one-room schoolhouse” presentation by Karen Stocking, as she portrays the school marm, Miss Hawkesworth, in a setting recalling the innovative effort of Christopher Dock, a school master in the mid-1700s at our local Skippack Meeting-House School. Watch and learn about the process of making apple butter, listen to a concert by the Dulcimer Music Group and talk with Betsy Ross about her flag-making skills.

This year is the 236th anniversary of General George Washington’s Encampment in Skippack Township before and after the Battle at Germantown. The time for the event on Saturday is 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sunday is 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.